Happily Damon had enough presence of mind not to run into anyone (or anything). Or perhaps he was just lucky. Either way, he made it safely to the Royal Square.
The Square was indeed square, a large quadrangle featuring fountains in its corners, a larger one with an equestrian statue of one of "his" royal ancestors in the centre, and concentric lanes of coloured paving stones alternating with lines of trees. But as pretty as the Square itself was, it was still overshadowed -- literally and figuratively -- by the buildings around it.
The Wizards' Guild drew his attention first. He could feel it radiating magic, making the air tingle around him. Or... was it just him? The other people, strolling around the Square or relaxing on stone benches under the trees, did not seem to notice. Either they were used to it, or it was reacting with some kind of residue of the genie's wish granting.
He shivered. Something seemed to be tickling at the back of his mind. Almost as if... there were another presence there. Surreptitiously he looked back over his shoulder, but there was nobody behind him. No, this sense of being... with someone else was definitely coming from within him. He took a few steps towards the spiraling turrets of the Wizards Guild, then shook his head.
He wasn't sure he was ready for any more encounters with magic.
The same went for the Cathedral. Within the impressive gothic edifice worked the clerics of Littena, and they had magic of their own. Though maybe if he could get some guidance from one of them, without giving away his secret...? Or, for that matter -- this was a fantasy world, maybe he'd encounter the goddess herself.
Then there was the Great Library. Wondrous works of both fiction and non-fiction were contained within, as well as what amounted to a museum of magical items and curious devices. If he wanted to learn more about this world without raising eyebrows, that was surely the place to do so.
On the other hand, the gaily painted sign of the Fleur-de-Lune caught his attention. The grand inn and tavern was a central point of the city's high society; if he wanted noble entertainment -- or just a good drink to take his mind off his problems -- that was surely the place to go.
Then there was the theatre. Billboards proclaimed a production of a play that his new memories vaguely recalled, Agapetus Rex. He almost thought that some of the characters -- meaning the actors -- were transformed on stage. But could that really be the case? Well, maybe if they were turned back afterwards...
Then again, there was still so much of the city to explore. Damon wanted --
"Agh!" He stumbled, as a surge of deja vu clutched him, so powerful he felt dizzy. Once again he felt the presence of someone else in his mind, but this time accompanied by a sense of confusion, as though he were trapped and out of control of his body. Or was it the other person...?
"Sir!" He looked up, clutching his head, to see the concerned face of a young woman swim into his vision. "Are you all right?"
"Uhh..." He blinked. The strange feelings settled into a vague pressure in the back of his head, and he was able to get a good look at her. She wore a simple black dress, trimmed with white, and carried a basket covered with a cloth. Yellow eyes and two grey ears poking through her brown hair brought to mind the stray fact that beastmen were looked down on in Lightgard. Some even considered them dangerously close to therianthropes, though there was no known connection.
At any rate, this girl -- he assumed she was someone's servant -- seemed friendly enough. "I... I'm fine. Thanks."
She titled her head. Her dress rustled, and he caught sight of a fluffy lupine tail swaying uncertainly behind her. "Are you sure, sir? Maybe you've had a bit too much sun? I'm just on the way back to the house --" she pointed towards one of the streets exiting the Square "-- and it's not far. I'm sure the mistress wouldn't mind me offering you a cool drink."
That sounded nice. Damon realised he hadn't thought to bring any money with him on this excursion -- although as prince he could probably get credit anywhere. But also the maid seemed nice, and non-threatening. If nothing else she might provide a distraction from his problems -- and the strange feeling of there being someone else in his head.
Then again, there was still a lot he wanted to explore. Not just here, but also in the other Quarters.